Ken Gnadt, 85, of Grand Island passed away on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018, at CHI Health St. Francis.
Service and celebration of Ken’s life will be at 3 p.m. Monday at St. Pauls Lutheran Church. The Revs. Edgar Schambach Jr. and William Pavuk will officiate. To honor Ken’s wishes, cremation will take place following the service. Private family burial of ashes will be in the Grand Island Cemetery.
Born on Oct. 18, 1932, on a small farm near Alma, Kan., he was the son of Clarence and Edna (Arand) Gnadt. Ken graduated from Kansas State University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal science, and obtained a graduate degree in banking from the University of Wisconsin.
Ken married his college sweetheart, Bonnie (Bonita) Brannagan, and the two of them raised five children.
Ken was an active force in Central Nebraska for many years. His career stretched from agricultural trade and commerce to local government. He worked on the family farm with his father, which led to working for Farmland Industries in agricultural sales. Later on, he became an agricultural loan officer for First National Bank in Alma, Kan., and then spent a number of years with Nutrena Feeds in Fort Worth, Texas, Sioux City, Iowa, and Grand Island. During his business career, Ken spent almost seven years in Taiwan, where he saw firsthand the importance of Nebraska’s economic partnership with Taiwan.
A community leader and advocate for philanthropy in the community, Ken served as mayor of Grand Island from 1994 to 2002, and was instrumental in securing the I-80 South Locust Interchange and Wood River Flood Control Project. He launched the first “hike and bike trails” in the area, and promoted the building of the Heartland Events Center. As a Rotarian for 54 years, Ken was honored by Rotary International, Nebraska Diplomats, Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, Grand Island International Visitors and Nebraska Children’s Groundwater Festival. In 2012, Ken was named the Distinguished NEBRASKAlander for his contributions to agriculture and agribusiness, service to his community, and service to the state at large. Ken joined the Grand Island Community Foundation Board of Trustees in January 2014.
Ken was an active volunteer in numerous organizations. He served as a charter board member for Husker Harvest Days for 41 years. Also he was on boards for the Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center, St. Francis Medical Center Foundation, School Advisory for the Grand Island Public Schools Superintendent, The Grand Island Independent, Stuhr Museum, Children’s Groundwater Festival and Groundwater Guardians. He was part of the group that started the first Husker Harvest Days, which has been going on for 41 years and attracts visitors from all over the world. Ken was an active member of St. Pauls Lutheran Church and active with the Hall County Historical Society, the oldest historical society in Nebraska.
Those left to cherish his memory include his children, Jim (Christi) Gnadt of Grand Island, John (Jayne) Gnadt of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Jerry (Amy) Gnadt of Aurora, Colo., Janet (Chris) Ringel of Arlington, Texas, and Jeff Gnadt of Aurora, Colo.; four grandchildren, Brittany (Nate) Walton, Jordon Ringel, Eli (Lauren) Ringel, and Chelsea (Bryan) Cox; and five great-grandchildren, Heidi Cox, Henry Walton, Catherine Walton, Allie Ringel and Camille Cox.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie, who passed in 2009, and his parents.
Service and celebration of Ken’s life will be at 3 p.m. Monday at St. Pauls Lutheran Church. The Revs. Edgar Schambach Jr. and William Pavuk will officiate. To honor Ken’s wishes, cremation will take place following the service. Private family burial of ashes will be in the Grand Island Cemetery.
Born on Oct. 18, 1932, on a small farm near Alma, Kan., he was the son of Clarence and Edna (Arand) Gnadt. Ken graduated from Kansas State University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal science, and obtained a graduate degree in banking from the University of Wisconsin.
Ken married his college sweetheart, Bonnie (Bonita) Brannagan, and the two of them raised five children.
Ken was an active force in Central Nebraska for many years. His career stretched from agricultural trade and commerce to local government. He worked on the family farm with his father, which led to working for Farmland Industries in agricultural sales. Later on, he became an agricultural loan officer for First National Bank in Alma, Kan., and then spent a number of years with Nutrena Feeds in Fort Worth, Texas, Sioux City, Iowa, and Grand Island. During his business career, Ken spent almost seven years in Taiwan, where he saw firsthand the importance of Nebraska’s economic partnership with Taiwan.
A community leader and advocate for philanthropy in the community, Ken served as mayor of Grand Island from 1994 to 2002, and was instrumental in securing the I-80 South Locust Interchange and Wood River Flood Control Project. He launched the first “hike and bike trails” in the area, and promoted the building of the Heartland Events Center. As a Rotarian for 54 years, Ken was honored by Rotary International, Nebraska Diplomats, Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, Grand Island International Visitors and Nebraska Children’s Groundwater Festival. In 2012, Ken was named the Distinguished NEBRASKAlander for his contributions to agriculture and agribusiness, service to his community, and service to the state at large. Ken joined the Grand Island Community Foundation Board of Trustees in January 2014.
Ken was an active volunteer in numerous organizations. He served as a charter board member for Husker Harvest Days for 41 years. Also he was on boards for the Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center, St. Francis Medical Center Foundation, School Advisory for the Grand Island Public Schools Superintendent, The Grand Island Independent, Stuhr Museum, Children’s Groundwater Festival and Groundwater Guardians. He was part of the group that started the first Husker Harvest Days, which has been going on for 41 years and attracts visitors from all over the world. Ken was an active member of St. Pauls Lutheran Church and active with the Hall County Historical Society, the oldest historical society in Nebraska.
Those left to cherish his memory include his children, Jim (Christi) Gnadt of Grand Island, John (Jayne) Gnadt of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Jerry (Amy) Gnadt of Aurora, Colo., Janet (Chris) Ringel of Arlington, Texas, and Jeff Gnadt of Aurora, Colo.; four grandchildren, Brittany (Nate) Walton, Jordon Ringel, Eli (Lauren) Ringel, and Chelsea (Bryan) Cox; and five great-grandchildren, Heidi Cox, Henry Walton, Catherine Walton, Allie Ringel and Camille Cox.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie, who passed in 2009, and his parents.
Ken Gnadt, 85, of Grand Island passed away on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018, at CHI Health St. Francis.
Service and celebration of Ken’s life will be at 3 p.m. Monday at St. Pauls Lutheran Church. The Revs. Edgar Schambach Jr. and William Pavuk will officiate. To honor Ken’s wishes, cremation will take place following the service. Private family burial of ashes will be in the Grand Island Cemetery.
Born on Oct. 18, 1932, on a small farm near Alma, Kan., he was the son of Clarence and Edna (Arand) Gnadt. Ken graduated from Kansas State University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal science, and obtained a graduate degree in banking from the University of Wisconsin.
Ken married his college sweetheart, Bonnie (Bonita) Brannagan, and the two of them raised five children.
Ken was an active force in Central Nebraska for many years. His career stretched from agricultural trade and commerce to local government. He worked on the family farm with his father, which led to working for Farmland Industries in agricultural sales. Later on, he became an agricultural loan officer for First National Bank in Alma, Kan., and then spent a number of years with Nutrena Feeds in Fort Worth, Texas, Sioux City, Iowa, and Grand Island. During his business career, Ken spent almost seven years in Taiwan, where he saw firsthand the importance of Nebraska’s economic partnership with Taiwan.
A community leader and advocate for philanthropy in the community, Ken served as mayor of Grand Island from 1994 to 2002, and was instrumental in securing the I-80 South Locust Interchange and Wood River Flood Control Project. He launched the first “hike and bike trails” in the area, and promoted the building of the Heartland Events Center. As a Rotarian for 54 years, Ken was honored by Rotary International, Nebraska Diplomats, Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, Grand Island International Visitors and Nebraska Children’s Groundwater Festival. In 2012, Ken was named the Distinguished NEBRASKAlander for his contributions to agriculture and agribusiness, service to his community, and service to the state at large. Ken joined the Grand Island Community Foundation Board of Trustees in January 2014.
Ken was an active volunteer in numerous organizations. He served as a charter board member for Husker Harvest Days for 41 years. Also he was on boards for the Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center, St. Francis Medical Center Foundation, School Advisory for the Grand Island Public Schools Superintendent, The Grand Island Independent, Stuhr Museum, Children’s Groundwater Festival and Groundwater Guardians. He was part of the group that started the first Husker Harvest Days, which has been going on for 41 years and attracts visitors from all over the world. Ken was an active member of St. Pauls Lutheran Church and active with the Hall County Historical Society, the oldest historical society in Nebraska.
Those left to cherish his memory include his children, Jim (Christi) Gnadt of Grand Island, John (Jayne) Gnadt of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Jerry (Amy) Gnadt of Aurora, Colo., Janet (Chris) Ringel of Arlington, Texas, and Jeff Gnadt of Aurora, Colo.; four grandchildren, Brittany (Nate) Walton, Jordon Ringel, Eli (Lauren) Ringel, and Chelsea (Bryan) Cox; and five great-grandchildren, Heidi Cox, Henry Walton, Catherine Walton, Allie Ringel and Camille Cox.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie, who passed in 2009, and his parents.
Service and celebration of Ken’s life will be at 3 p.m. Monday at St. Pauls Lutheran Church. The Revs. Edgar Schambach Jr. and William Pavuk will officiate. To honor Ken’s wishes, cremation will take place following the service. Private family burial of ashes will be in the Grand Island Cemetery.
Born on Oct. 18, 1932, on a small farm near Alma, Kan., he was the son of Clarence and Edna (Arand) Gnadt. Ken graduated from Kansas State University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal science, and obtained a graduate degree in banking from the University of Wisconsin.
Ken married his college sweetheart, Bonnie (Bonita) Brannagan, and the two of them raised five children.
Ken was an active force in Central Nebraska for many years. His career stretched from agricultural trade and commerce to local government. He worked on the family farm with his father, which led to working for Farmland Industries in agricultural sales. Later on, he became an agricultural loan officer for First National Bank in Alma, Kan., and then spent a number of years with Nutrena Feeds in Fort Worth, Texas, Sioux City, Iowa, and Grand Island. During his business career, Ken spent almost seven years in Taiwan, where he saw firsthand the importance of Nebraska’s economic partnership with Taiwan.
A community leader and advocate for philanthropy in the community, Ken served as mayor of Grand Island from 1994 to 2002, and was instrumental in securing the I-80 South Locust Interchange and Wood River Flood Control Project. He launched the first “hike and bike trails” in the area, and promoted the building of the Heartland Events Center. As a Rotarian for 54 years, Ken was honored by Rotary International, Nebraska Diplomats, Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, Grand Island International Visitors and Nebraska Children’s Groundwater Festival. In 2012, Ken was named the Distinguished NEBRASKAlander for his contributions to agriculture and agribusiness, service to his community, and service to the state at large. Ken joined the Grand Island Community Foundation Board of Trustees in January 2014.
Ken was an active volunteer in numerous organizations. He served as a charter board member for Husker Harvest Days for 41 years. Also he was on boards for the Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center, St. Francis Medical Center Foundation, School Advisory for the Grand Island Public Schools Superintendent, The Grand Island Independent, Stuhr Museum, Children’s Groundwater Festival and Groundwater Guardians. He was part of the group that started the first Husker Harvest Days, which has been going on for 41 years and attracts visitors from all over the world. Ken was an active member of St. Pauls Lutheran Church and active with the Hall County Historical Society, the oldest historical society in Nebraska.
Those left to cherish his memory include his children, Jim (Christi) Gnadt of Grand Island, John (Jayne) Gnadt of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Jerry (Amy) Gnadt of Aurora, Colo., Janet (Chris) Ringel of Arlington, Texas, and Jeff Gnadt of Aurora, Colo.; four grandchildren, Brittany (Nate) Walton, Jordon Ringel, Eli (Lauren) Ringel, and Chelsea (Bryan) Cox; and five great-grandchildren, Heidi Cox, Henry Walton, Catherine Walton, Allie Ringel and Camille Cox.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie, who passed in 2009, and his parents.
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